How to stay motivated?

I hear you...

Had the same problem in the beginning. My advice is you have to want this. You want to want it REALLY BAD. Do or die attitude.

I have a 8-8 workday and I am dead tired when I get home. The way I did it was to take it one step at a time. It's like learning any new skill or sport. I would say 1 to 2 hours during the weekdays and full blast during the weekends. That's the schedule I worked with for 2 months, until I realized deadlines are coming up and I have to get my act together. My sched now is 4-5 hours weekdays (you can imagine the how sleep deprived I am) and about 12-15 hours during the weekends. GMAT is my life! Hahaha! Sounds awful, I know. But yu have to live, eat, breath GMAT. Even when I'm in the car, in the toilet, waiting in line - i'm thinking about math formulas and working out grammar stuff. No moment should be wasted. Keep your brain working.

Again, before even starting, you have to have conviction on why you're taking the GMAT. Is it an MBA? for a job? If you want it bad enough, you'll work your butt off trying to get it. And you'll be surprised how far you'll go...

Yes, this is common, so don't worry

You need to dream a lot about top B schools It really works. Also, do some physical exercise everyday (sorry if you're already doing it ), it keeps you fresh.

I have almost 12 hours workday every day. Usually my office stay is 8am to 8pm. I reach home at about 8:30pm. I take bath, then play with my daughter for some time, have light dinner (yes, dinner is late in India ).
Then I used to sit at about 10pm till 1am to 2am. But it feels good that you're working hard Start with 1 hours everyday then increase it slowly. Be determined, if you feel sleepy, drink tea or coffee (it's matter of 3 to 4 months dude). In fact I got used to it later on

Cheers...

Set realistic goals for each study session, don't sit down and say, "I have to study for two hours tonight," and then just go through the motions of trying problems, and not really trying to understanding exactly why you got them wrong. Don't fall into the "volume trap" where you're just trying to put in time or crank through as many questions as possible.

If you're exhausted from a day of work, then think to yourself, "I'm so beat, but I can have a cup of coffee and suck it up for forty five minutes and put some serious energy into this practice set."

Or if you're totally exhausted and not at all mentally sharp, then run errands or clean your apartment or do laundry or whatever you can to free up time later in your week so that you'll have free time to study when you're hopefully in a more rested mental state.

Some good advice, thanks.

It's reassuring enough to know that others still manage to study despite working 12 hours a day. I have it relatively easy since I work, at most, 10 hours a day and don't have any kids.

I think I'm going to feather in more and more work each night until I start to see better results.

Thanks again...

Every time, I am less motivated, I reinforcemyself with a similar attitude


It is very important to be aware that I will be facing tough questions during the exam. Also, I should be aware that the test writers are not expected me to answer all the tough questions correctly. This is an Adaptive Test. In fact, If I manage to do my best on every question and to keep telling myself, I can do it and I am going to do do my best on
A question whether it is a tough or a less tough one, I will get a great score. Treat every question differently. Manage to finish the exam. Stay focused on every question and remember all what I learned in term of thinking, reacting efficently under stressfull situation, managing my time and of course being confident that I have the right attitude.

For me, it was a matter of challenge. What I was just approaching GMAT, I looked at top scores and asked myself "If others can do it, why the hell can't I?" So I set myself a goal of 750+. When I moved on to preparation, I realized things are not that easy; getting a good score required bloodsweating study. But what could I do? The challenge was taken, the bets were placed. I just couldn't chicken, so I died every evening over a new bunch of problems... again and again...

...it worked.

When I felt demotivated I'd go to a posh area of town and walk about looking at all the million £ houses and flash cars

Several things combined worked for me (710 46Q 42V). Most have been mentioned, so I'll just add the one that's not here:

Motivation by embarrassment: I enrolled in a GMAT prep group course and keeping up with the course and not holding back my peers was one of my greatest motivations. I'd find time to study at least 1.5 - 2hs before every class (an exhausting Mon - Weds - Fri 8.00pm to 10.30pm schedule). I'd skip lunch or escape work early and keep up with the homework. If you can't join a prep course, try assembling a study group.

Hope it helps. L.

The test is deceptive. You could study for 50 hours and know the common problems, timing, traps, etc.

But to master the test, you need to spend way more than 50 hours studying.

It helps to quicly find out what you don't know and work from there.

Hermione - 4 or 5 hours on weekdays and then 12-15 on weekends? So like 40 to 55 hours a week more or less? That's ridiculous. That's like lifting weights 40 hours a week, sounds like total overkill, you must have some seriously dimishing returns.

I think if a person has two or three months to work with, then 12-15 hours a week is plenty of time. I think about 80 hours of just volume-work, going through tons of questions to get the feel and start to recognize the patterns, and then the rest of the time split between working on weak areas and taking tons of practice tests is ideal.

if you really want to go to b school and get an MBA..that should be enough motivation...just stick to your long term goals by meeting the short term ones

Very very true. Reading the article about Goldman's bonuses this year should motivate you plenty.

I have taped signs that say "750" all over the place. When I wake up in the morning, I see them in my bedroom, in the bathroom taped to the mirror, by the computer, and by the front door. Any time I start drifting of or decide I might watch some tv, I see a big 750 in my face and sometimes I end up studying for another hour. =)

Well, if you study a lot, GMAT test will be so natural to you, that you will be motivated until the exam itself.

wow these are some great recommendations. Lately I've also been slacking off, but to see you guys still manage to study after a 12 hr shift really puts things into perspective for me.

This thread needs to be made sticky or put in a place for easy future reference.
Awesome. Golden Advice.
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I could have not said it better.

Just saw this; I've always wondered why no one ever posted about motivation

I rely on caffeine.